Top 5 Hockey Skills to Evaluate

When drafting hockey players, you will often assess their performance in skating, passing, and shooting to see if they are a good fit for your team.
 
However, what constitutes a skilled hockey player in these areas? Take skating, for example–it's more than simply assigning a score from 1-10. There are many components within skating that should be carefully considered before giving out a numerical score.
 
To help you out, we have compiled a list of the 5 most common (and important) hockey skills to evaluate, along with a checklist of criteria to look for within each skill. Now, the next time you are conducting hockey tryouts, you will have a clear understanding of what a score of 10 looks like versus a score of 1.

1. Skating

Why is it important?

Skating is a fundamental skill in hockey, one that is needed for players to navigate around the ice and position themselves to pass, receive, and score.

What to look for?

• Body posture- Players should keep their head up, knees bent, and back straight. A low center of gravity helps with balance and agility throughout the game.

• Speed- With each stride, players should push off their legs for maximum power, using the inside edges of their skates, and maintain a low yet forward-leaning stance.   

• Turning- Players should evenly distribute their weight on both skates, bend their knees & use the inside edges of their skates while turning. Players should also “lean into the turn.”  I.e., When turning left, players should lean in that direction for maximum control.   

• Transitions- While the majority of the game will have players skating forward, athletes should be able to smoothly switch directions without losing control.

• Endurance- Players should maintain the same level of skating throughout the whole game. As fatigue begins to kick in, agility, momentum, and control shouldn’t be compromised.

2. Puck Control

Why is it important?

Proper puck control must be mastered for players to gain & keep possession of the puck, ultimately creating passing opportunities to set up for a goal.

What to look for?

• Body positioning- Feet should be hip-width apart, knees bent, and chest should be forward with their eyes on the puck. In other words, their body should always be angled toward the puck, creating a barrier between the defense & the puck.

• Hand positioning- A relaxed grip should be kept on the stick, helping players maneuver their hand up & down the stick quickly. Their top hand should be near the shaft, and their bottom hand should be near the blade.

• Fluid transitions- When alternating between forehand and backhand, players should keep the puck sliding from one side to the other

• Situational awareness- Players should always be scanning the ice to identify their next play. I.e., While controlling the puck, Player A scans the ice to identify open areas, setting them up for their next pass.

• Skating- Players need to be light on their feet and take quick & short strides. These small strides help players change direction on short notice while keeping the puck close.

3. Passing

Why is it important?

Passing ensures all players on a team are working together to make success happen, from stopping the opposing team from taking control or setting up a goal.

What to look for?

• Situational awareness- Players should always be scanning the ice to identify their next play. I.e., Player A scans the ice to identify open areas, helping them know who to pass to and where.

• Hand grip- The player's top hand should be around the middle of the stick, while their bottom hand should be placed near the middle of the stick. *If hands are too close together, accuracy will be difficult to achieve when passing.

• Motion- Players should shift their weight from the back foot to their front foot in one, swift motion.

• Stance- Knees should be slightly bent in a low stance, and the player's body weight should be shifted forward onto their toes when making a pass.

• Stick contact- Players should keep their stick blade close to the ice during the entire pass. Lifting the stick too high results in an inaccurate and weak pass.

4. Shooting

Why is it important?

More successful shots increase the probability of winning the game. If players lack proper shooting skills, other abilities such as stick handling and puck control become irrelevant. 

What to look for?

Body positioning- Players should maintain a balanced stance, with their feet shoulder width apart, bent knees and chest up. Their eyes should be on the target throughout the duration of the shot.
Shooting technique- Players must be able to choose the correct shooting technique based on the situation they face. I.e., If players are close to the net & feel the pressure to release the puck quickly, a snapshot is ideal. If a player has open space (without pressure from defenders), they can go for a slap shot.
Follow through- Regardless of whether a player aims to shoot high or low, players must follow through by rolling their wrist over and pointing their stick at the target.
Weight transfer- As players “wind up” for the shot, they will start by slightly shifting their weight to their back leg. As they advance the puck forward, their weight should transfer to their front foot, moving their upper body & hips forward.
Speed- The speed at which a player approaches the net should align with the shooting technique they execute. I.e., For a snapshot, moderate to fast skating is effective so a player can generate momentum and execute a quick release of the puck.

5. Stickhandling

Why is it important?

With proper stickhandling, players can complete accurate passes, maneuver around their opponents, and maintain better puck control.

What to look for?

• Hand grip- Their top hand should be the dominant hand, while their bottom hand should act as more of a guiding force. *The bottom hand should have a loose grip, easily sliding up and down the stick.

• Puck placement- There should be little space between the puck and the stick. The smaller the placement, the more your players will control the puck with greater precision.

• Situational Awareness- While it may seem like second nature for players to look down at their sticks, keeping both their heads and eyes up will allow them to better spot open areas on the ice and maneuver around defenders.

• Body positioning- Players should ensure their knees are slightly bent with their body weight evenly distributed over both skates. With this stance, players can effortlessly maneuver around opponents.

• Wrist movement- Wrists should be rotating while stickhandling for players to make tight turns, control the puck’s direction, and maintain possession.Top 5 hockey skills to evaluate

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